Something Positive
A husband and wife in their fifties were getting ready for
bed. The wife approached a full-length mirror and looked at
herself.
“Well, my dear,” she said to the husband. “When I look into
the mirror, all I see is an old woman with gray hair, a
wrinkled face; her shoulders are hunched, her breasts are
sagging, her body and legs are flabby. Oh dear, please tell
me something positive about myself to cheer me up.”
“Honey,” the husband remarked from the bed, “I can say for
sure that your eyesight is very good.”
Reflection
* The words one uses can hurt the feelings of another
even though the insult or ridicule may not be direct.
* One has to be mindful of the words one uses with
others -- different people react differently and
relationships may be strained through the use of wrong
speech.
* Right Speech must have the following elements:
1. the absence of lies that cause hurt, pain and
suffering.
2. the avoidance of slander that brings down a
person's dignity, integrity or reputation.
3. avoiding harsh speech that hurts the feelings of
others.
4. the avoidance of gossip and empty talk which can
through carelessness or a lack of mindfulness cause
another suffering or bring about negative mental
states in others.

‘You Are Fired’
A company, feeling it was time for a shake-up, hired a new CEO.
This new boss was determined to rid the company of all slackers.
On a tour of the facilities one day, the CEO noticed a guy leaning
against the wall. The office was full of workers and he thought
that this was his chance to show everyone he meant business. The
CEO walked up to the guy and asked, “And how much money do
you make a week?”
Undaunted, the young fellow looked at him and replied, “I make
$200 a week. Why?”
The CEO then handed the guy $200 in cash and shouted, “Here’s
a week’s pay. Now GET OUT and don’t come back!”
Feeling pretty good about his first firing, the CEO looked around
the office and asked, “Can anyone tell me what work that slacker
did here?”
With a grin, one of the office workers muttered, “Pizza delivery
boy.”
Reflection
* Jumping to conclusions without proper investigation can
bring embarrassment or negative consequences to a person.
* How often have we made assumptions without a clear
logical basis? This can cause suffering mental states and
interpersonal conflicts.
* People who are of a suspicious nature, the cynic, and people
with minds greatly defiled by greed, anger, hatred and
delusion/egoism often make assumptions (negatively) about
other people and happenings that bring about much Dukkha.
* One should try to apply the Teachings of The Buddha in
'The Kalama Sutta' ( The Charter of Free Inquiry ). One's
mind will then attain more and more peace, compassion,
wisdom and freedom.
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin